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President Obama supports states' ability to opt out of health insurance plan

President Obama supports states' ability to opt out of health insurance plan

In a move that may surprise Republicans everywhere, President Barack Obama spoke out in favor of states' ability to opt out of the new healthcare law.

On Sunday, the president announced at a meeting of the National Governor's Association that he supports amending the healthcare legislation he passed into law in 2010, which would allow states to opt out of some of the bill's requirements.

"I think that's a reasonable proposal," Obama said. "I support it."

Since the legislation was passed, the constitutionality of the law has been an issue many state legislatures have considered. Because the law requires Americans to purchase a healthcare plan by 2014, some federal judges have said it interferes with the Constitution's commerce clause.

According to Forbes.com, Obama supports a bill sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden and Scott Brown, which would allow states to opt out if they meet various eligibility requirements. If the bill is passed, it would allow states to opt out of the health insurance plan in 2014, not 2017 as it initially allowed for.

The White House hosted the 2011 National Governor's Association event on Sunday.